Japan woman college striker heading to Lyon

01 February 2012 09:16

Japanese university striker Ami Otaki has signed with French and European women's champion side Lyon, and says she is aiming for the top.

The 22-year-old, who has penned an 18-month contract with Lyon, becomes the third Japanese to join the French women's league first division after Aya Sameshima and Rumi Utsugi, both of whom play for Montpellier.

"I want to become the world's best player at the world's best team," she told Japanese media, adding she is dreaming of winning the FIFA Women's Player of the Year award as compatriot Homare Sawa did after Japan won the 2011 women's World Cup.

The 172cm (5 ft 8 inches) right-footed attacker has netted 45 goals in 30 matches for Waseda University in the current academic year, but has yet to be called up for international duty at full senior level.

"I want to produce results in France and play at the London Olympics," she said.